The Dissenter (Imperial India Pale Lager, 8.7% ABV, IBUs 70) will join the epic series in August. Founders began this series to bring some of their most sought-after and experimental taproom beers to a much larger audience. Each bottle in this series has been a limited batch, released in 750 ml bottles. These beers are brewed sporadically throughout the year, are not brewed on any set schedule, and may or may not ever be brewed again. Each of the beers in the series so far has been very unique and amazing, and for the most part I have enjoyed them all.

Founders Brewing Co. will introduce Dissenter, an Imperial India Pale Lager (IPL) brewed with a wide variety of tropical, citrus-forward hops, to mark the 10th installment in the brewery’s popular Backstage Series. Like all of Founders’ Backstage Series beers, Dissenter will be sold in 750mL bottles, with a suggested retail price of $11.99 per bottle.

Dissenter is the first lager Founders has brewed since Noble Lager, a beer that hasn’t been in the brewery’s production cycle for 12 years. Dissenter is the brewery’s argument in favor of the potential for complex lagers, clocking in at 8.7% ABV and 70 IBUs. Lagers kind of get a bad rap and often get passed over for ales. It is generally acknowledged that a really well-brewed lager is a big more difficult and time consuming than ales, and you certainly can not hide even the tiniest off flavor. For this reason, I really enjoy a well brewed lager, and I'm looking forward to this beer with much anticipation.

This beer is a departure from other Founders releases for a couple of reasons: All of the beers in Founders’ standard lineup are ales, which are fermented at warm temperatures, whereas lagers are fermented cold. Plus, Dissenter uses a different kind of yeast from other Founders beers. Test batches of the Imperial IPL were brewed using the brewery’s pilot system and have been tapped in the Founders taproom in Grand Rapids, Mich., off and on throughout the past few months. The longer brewing process used for lagers gives this beer an exceptionally clean finish, allowing the clear beauty of the hops to shine.

“With Dissenter, we’re releasing yet another Backstage Series beer that doesn’t fit within standard beer style guidelines,” said Co-Founder and Vice President of Brand and Education Dave Engbers. “And that’s the point. It’s a celebration of the creativity of our brewing team, and we’re looking forward to sharing it with the growing circle of beer enthusiasts.”

Dissenter will be released in limited quantities across Founders’ distribution footprint beginning on Friday, Aug. 1, and will be available at the brewery’s taproom that same week. Look for one more Backstage Series releases from Founders in 2014.

About Founders Brewing Co.

Established in 1997 by two craft beer enthusiasts—Dave Engbers and Mike Stevens—with day jobs and a dream, Founders Brewing Co. brews complex, in-your-face ales, with huge aromatics and tons of flavor. Founders ranks among the top 30 largest craft breweries in the U.S. and is one of the fastest growing. The brewery has received numerous awards from the World Beer Cup and the Great American Beer Festival and RateBeer and BeerAdvocate users often rate its beers among the best in the world. Located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, Founders is a proud member of the Michigan Brewers Guild and the Brewers Association. For more information, visit www.foundersbrewing.com.